Not what you are looking for? Ask the experts!

Norton Hotspot Privacy - Google search is blocked

When I am connected to Norton Hotspot Privacy (using their California location) and attempt a Google search, the search is blocked by Google. It states that Google is experiencing unusual traffic from my network. This does not happen when I don't use Hotspot Privacy. I know I could change my default search to something other than Google, but I'd prefer not to. Is anyone else experiencing this? Suggested solutions? Thanks!

Replies

Re: Norton Hotspot Privacy - Google search is blocked

When I am connected to Norton Hotspot Privacy (using their California location) and attempt a Google search, the search is blocked by Google. It states that Google is experiencing unusual traffic from my network. This does not happen when I don't use Hotspot Privacy. I know I could change my default search to something other than Google, but I'd prefer not to. Is anyone else experiencing this? Suggested solutions? Thanks!

Re: Norton Hotspot Privacy - Google search is blocked

Because of my location I cannot use Hotspot Privacy so I cannot respond directly to your request. :-(

Can you tell us if you are also located in California? Has this happened on a number of occasions and if so, can you give us some indication of the period over which the problem has occurred, and if the arrangement worked better before a certain date?

Re: Norton Hotspot Privacy - Google search is blocked

I am experiencing the same problem on a Windows XP desktop and a Windows 7 laptop. When HotSpot Privacy in ON, I get the message from Google. When HotSpot Privacy is OFF, the search completes normally.

This has only been happening in the last 24 to 48 hours. Prior to that, I did not have the problem and Google Search worked fine with Privacy was ON or OFF.

Re: Norton Hotspot Privacy - Google search is blocked

I did Google's recommendation of a spyware with scan (with my Malwarebytes subscription), and while it found a couple of things, removing them had no effect on the problem. Also, this problem does not exist on my systems when I choose the UK site over the USA site. I have raised a similar issue with Norton support previously as I have been unable to connect to one of the financial sites I use when HotSpot Privacy is set to the USA site -- it worked with the UK site. Go figure. Norton has yet to resolve that issue either.

Re: Norton Hotspot Privacy - Google search is blocked

Thank you Vinod. My google searches are still being blocked while using Norton Hotspot Privacy. Google says that my network is sending automated queries and that it cannot process my request. Please advise.